Biography
Chris Bruno (born March 15, 1966, in Milford, Connecticut) is an American actor known for his work in film and television, particularly for portraying Sheriff Walt Bannerman on the USA Network series The Dead Zone.
His brother, Dylan Bruno, is known for playing Colby Granger on Numb3rs. While attending college in Vermont, Chris was involved in both theater and sports. After a skiing injury ended his athletic pursuits, he auditioned for and secured the lead role in The Mandrake. He later transferred to the State University of New York at Stony Brook, majoring in theater and serving as the starting pitcher for the baseball team.
Following graduation, Bruno joined NBC's Another World cast as Dennis Carrington Wheeler, earning a nomination for a Soap Opera Award for Outstanding Newcomer. He subsequently played Michael Delaney on ABC's All My Children.
After his soap opera roles, Bruno pursued stand-up comedy and secured guest appearances on sitcoms such as The Nanny, Jesse, and Suddenly Susan.
In 2001, he was cast as Walt Bannerman in USA Network's sci-fi drama The Dead Zone, whose premiere became the highest-rated cable television series debut at that time. During the show's fifth season, Bruno made his directorial debut with the episode "Independence Day," dedicated to his late mother, Nancy M. Bruno, who passed away from cancer. His brother Dylan guest-starred in this episode. Their father is actor Scott Bruno (born 1942). Chris Bruno starred in the first five seasons, with his character killed off in the sixth season premiere, though he made three guest appearances in the final season.
He also starred alongside Anthony Hopkins in the 2005 film The World's Fastest Indian, directed by Roger Donaldson, which Bruno described as "one of the most exciting jobs" he has ever undertaken.
In 2009, he appeared in two episodes of Prison Break and featured in the television movie Prison Break: The Final Break.
